Back and Spine Injuries

Back and spine injuries can result from traumatic accidents and repetitive stress. A work injury lawyer can help you collect just compensation.

Do you suffer from chronic back pain? Does your back hurt following an accident at work? If so, you may have a spinal cord injury (SCI), and you may need to hire a work injury lawyer to collect financial compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and other losses.

“Some 83 million days of work are lost per year due to back pain. . . . Back pain is a leading cause of work-loss days as well as work limitations. . . . Among adults who are working, almost two-thirds — 64 percent — of those with back pain . . . have missed at least one day of work in the past year due to illness or injury. The proportion of workers who have missed many days of work is also much higher for those with back pain than for those without.”

In other words, back injuries are exceedingly common among America’s working population; and, if you are living with pain or missing time from work due to a back injury, you are not alone.

10 Common Types of Work-Related Back and Spine Injuries

There are many types of back injuries that can result from incidents and accidents on the job. This includes back injuries resulting from overuse and repetitive stress as well as SCI resulting from falls, collisions, and other accidents. For example, five of the most-common types of work-related back and spine injuries include:

1. Lifting, Lowering, and Twisting Injuries

Lifting, lowering, and twisting all put heavy strain on the back, and these work-related activities can easily result in spinal cord injuries. This is true whether you regularly lift, lower, or twist during your workday or you suddenly felt a sharp pain after an isolated incident at work.

2. Injuries from Standing and Sitting

Yes, simply standing or sitting for an extended period of time can result in a potentially-serious back injury. From standing on hours on end (particularly if you wear a pack, toolbelt, or carry heavy objects) to sitting in front of a computer screen for the duration of your work day, there are a number of ways you can suffer a back injury even if you do not engage in strenuous physical activity.

3. Spinal Fractures from Falls and Other Accidents

Spinal fractures are potentially-serious injuries that can be caused by sudden trauma (i.e. falling, being struck by a moving object, or being involved in a vehicle collision) or by degeneration in the spinal cord over time. If you are experiencing symptoms of a spinal fracture, you should see a doctor right away.

4. Herniated Discs

A herniated disc is a type of spinal cord injury that occurs when the jelly-like fluid inside of the spinal cord escapes due to a rupture or tear. This type of injury is also known as a bulging disc, ruptured disc, or slipped disc, and it can cause severe back pain and physical limitations.

5. Anterior Cord Syndrome

Anterior cord syndrome is a serious form of SCI that impacts the sensory pathways that connect the spinal cord to the rest of the body. Individuals who are diagnosed with anterior cord syndrome can experience loss of mobility and other symptoms.

6. Brown-Sequard Syndrome

Brown-Sequard syndrome is a form of SCI that involves damage to one side of the spinal cord. Individuals who are diagnosed with Brown-Sequard syndrome may suffer from severe (or complete) loss of mobility on their right or left side while retaining full functionality on the other.

7. Central Cord Syndrome

Central cord syndrome is a form of SCI that results in loss of mobility and sensory capacity in the arms and hands. It typically results from an injury in the neck area and is among the most-common types of cervical spinal cord injuries.

8. Paralysis (Paraplegia, Triplegia, or Quadriplegia)

Losing the ability to use your arms or legs can be an extremely traumatic experience. If you have been diagnosed with paraplegia, triplegia, or quadriplegia as the result of an accident at work, you deserve to be compensated, and you should discuss your rights with a work injury lawyer promptly.

9. Whiplash

Although whiplash is commonly thought of as a neck injury, it can cause damage – and potentially severe damage – in the spine. Whiplash can result from many different types of accidents; and, if you are experiencing neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, muscle spasms, difficulty sleeping, or other symptoms of whiplash, you need to take your condition seriously.

10. Chronic Lower Back Pain

Finally, while not necessarily an injury in itself, chronic lower back pain can be symptomatic of many different types of work-related back and spine injuries. Whether you have been suffering from lower back pain for days, weeks, months, or years, you owe it to yourself to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney.

Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacral, and Coccyx Spine Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are also commonly classified by where they occur on the spine. The spine can be broken down into five major areas, and three of these areas have multiple discs (while the other two are each comprised of one large bone):

All types of back and spine injuries can have long-term effects; and, in order to protect your health and your legal rights, you should seek professional help promptly. Depending on the state in which you live, you may (or may not) need to see a doctor who has been pre-approved by your employer. An experienced work injury lawyer will be able to help you understand your rights and obligations, and your lawyer will be able to make sure you receive the maximum benefits available under your state's workers' compensation laws.

Get Help with Your Workplace Back or Spine Injury Claim

If you injured your back at work or are suffering from chronic back pain due to a work-related injury, an experienced work injury attorney can help you collect the benefits and compensation you deserve. To get started with a free, no-obligation consultation, browse our directory for a local attorney or submit your information online today.